Gabriel ?Bon Bon? Pumar installed himself as Cebu?s new boxing hero as the rangy fighter from the Rex ?Wakee? Salud Stable shocked South Africa with a stunning victory over its champion to bring home the World Boxing Council (WBC) International minimum-weight title yesterday.
The 18-year-old puncher from Lapu-Lapu City stripped the erstwhile undefeated Tshepo Lefele of the title following a knockout victory in the seventh round at the Wembley Arena in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The undefeated Pumar scored a knockdown in the fifth round, but it was ruled a slip by referee Andy Smale.
However, this did not slow down Pumar as he dropped Lefele to the canvas for the second time, this time making sure that Smale would count it as a knockdown in the sixth round.
Knockdown
Smelling blood, Pumar went on the offensive in the next round, scoring another knockdown before going for the kill at 2:56.
?I really appreciated the heart of Pumar. He traded punches with Lefele, knowing that he would never win by points. He went inside and gave all he got to bring home this title,? Salud told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.
Another of Salud?s boxers, Benedict Suico, was not as lucky as the youthful power puncher lost in his bid to win the WBC International flyweight title to champion Monelisi Mhikiza Myekeni by unanimous decision after 12 rounds.
Fever
Judge Bob Logist scored it 119-110, Andile Matika had it 119-109 and Sinton Tshekeketse saw it 120-108 all for Myekeni. Suico had fever before the fight, minimizing his chances to win the title.
Pumar improved his record to nine wins, with six knockouts, while Lefele suffered his first defeat in 14 fights Pumar and his entourage will arrive today in Cebu with Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo ?Boy? Radaza expected to set up a grand welcome at 12:30 noon at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
